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Cherry Barbs are a nice barb you could have in a community. You could swap them out for the Harlequins.

Otherwise, a large all-barb tank sounds great. You could have 10 Tigers, 10 Golds and 10 Greens. I'm not 100% sure so don't quote my on this but I think you could keep a single Red Tailed Black Shark with the barbs, it should be able to take care of itself. That or a Cichlid of some kind, like a Convict or a Sajica cichlid to add a little personality to the tanks. Most cichlids make good wet-pets are there are lots out there which would work in a 55g with a large school of Tigers.

I have finally decided what I'm gonna do thanks to you guys help, I'm going for a schooled approach with cardinals and rummy nose with cories on the bottom and plenty of live plants.

i want to max my tank out because i don't mind having to clean it out on a regular basis, and as far as i know i cant see these fish having a huge bioload even in big schools. the question is how many of each should i get?

tank is around 8 months old and is ready for the fish to be added, was used for my lutino red oscar and he is now moved into a 75g so my 55g is empty (fish wise) running a 300g internal filter and a 300g external with uv bulb so i think my filtration is good? i was also thinking 12-15 of each.

i see you have java fern in your planted tanks and was wondering..when you buy them ( in little 2x2 inch plots) do they spread or do you have to buy lots to cover the bottom of your tank?

I have finally decided what I'm gonna do thanks to you guys help, I'm going for a schooled approach with cardinals and rummy nose with cories on the bottom and plenty of live plants.

i want to max my tank out because i don't mind having to clean it out on a regular basis, and as far as i know i cant see these fish having a huge bioload even in big schools. the question is how many of each should i get?

cardinals =
rummy nose=
cories=

cheers.

Great choices by the way. With their small bio-load and the size of your tank I would get 25 Cardinals, 20 Rummy noses and 8-10 cories of your choice.

Two big schools of the same species will look great.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit. -Vince Lombardi
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” ― John WoodenSandy Hook Elementary......Lest We Forget
See my profile for my tanks and what fish I keep

+1 to Amelia's suggestion of Adolfoi's cories. They are a little pricey and hard to find but well worth it.

Skunk and Metae cories are also interesting and a nice change from Bronze, Spotted and the albino hybreds of them.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit. -Vince Lombardi
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” ― John WoodenSandy Hook Elementary......Lest We Forget
See my profile for my tanks and what fish I keep